BAND is very popular with 6th graders at Sun Valley Middle School and most students who register for band are extremely successful, but band isn't for every child. These are the four characteristics that our most successful band students typically embody:
- FOCUS - Successful band students are self motivated to focus in class and at home on performance skills and reading music. Band students must be focused enough in class to follow directions successfully in a classroom environment that is fast paced and focused enough during at-home practice to set personal goals and follow through until they are met.
- ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT - Successful band students are typically A and A/B honor roll students who understand the importance of developing good study habits and completing their assignments in on time. A large part of learning to play an instrument is learning to read music, which takes dedicated study time at home in the first few weeks of band.
- DEDICATION - Successful band students are typically dedicated to taking their instrument home DAILY for practice. There is no substitute for good practice habits and students who don't practice at home, don't make progress in class.
- A LOVE OF MUSIC - Successful band students enjoy listening to, performing, and learning about music!
Band students at Sun Valley Middle School are also very active in school sports, cheerleading, dance, martial arts, scouting, school clubs, Matthews Playhouse performances and church and community activities. Extra curricular activities do not interfere with band as long as students are not too busy to set aside 15-20 minutes to practice at home on a regular basis.
If your student fits the description above, then BAND is a great option for you!
